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| Passionately promoting excellence in the environments designed for early childhood.

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It is AEC’s belief that a child’s early learning and growth is best achieved when the environmental conditions are right – which goes to say the architecture plays a pivotal role. We (as a society) need an architecture that says: ‘We believe in these children!’ as it is these very children who will one day be our future – so lets give them the very best start in life..

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So often the design of ECEC's schools and playgrounds have been dictated by durability, cost-savings and maximisation of space, whilst ...

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Oct 29, 2011

"Because it's difficult to find non-commercial playground information. And I find that frustrating.
Because a playground doesn't have to cost a million bucks and come in a box. In fact, it's better if it doesn't.
Because playgrounds are under-recognized as an artistic medium.
Because everybody loves a playground."

I agree.

Snug playgrounds is a set of play components (such as the loop, cone, bump, wave, wall, mound) which can be arranged (indoors or outdoors) into multiple combinations - allowing flexibility and a bit of creativity!

Designed for the KOBE Biennale 2011 by 24°Studio is the Crater Lake - a temporary structure located in Japan, which incorporates space for climbing, sliding, hiding, performing, space for quiet relaxation and flexible (moving) seats! Many ideas here for incorporating such qualities into the architecture for young children.

Here (left), is a sculptural, playful installation in the Netherlands by AnneMarie van Splunter, which offers a wonderful multitude of ways to interact with it - sitting, lying on your tummies, sliding, reading a book...as well as the modules enabling a number of ways for configuring shapes. (Right) is a play structure that is part of a traveling exhibition called the Geometry Playground that again uses parts that fit together to create a changing, curving, intertwining climbing structure.

These playgrounds in Singapore I thought were beautiful with their use of colourful mosaic tiles creating a piece of public art. Designed by Mr. Khor Ean Ghee in the 1970s, he said: "We wanted to create something that was distinctive. My boss said to me
that all the buildings along Orchard Road were not designed locally. So
at least, our playgrounds should be."

The above shows that with a little imagination and creative thought we can go a long way to creating some unique and inspiring public spaces, with the added benefit of providing enjoyment for our youngest of citizens.